The Basics of Poker
Poker is a card game played by two or more players. The objective is to win the “pot,” which is the sum of all bets made during a single deal. The pot may be won by having the highest-ranking poker hand or by making a bet that no other player calls. Players may also bluff, in which case they bet that they have a superior hand when they do not.
A poker hand consists of five cards. Each card has a rank, which is determined by its mathematical frequency (i.e., how rare it is to have that card in your hand). A high poker hand is one that contains matching cards of the same rank and suit. A low poker hand is one that contains unmatched cards.
The game of Poker can be a lot of fun. It involves a bit of skill and a fair amount of psychology. The by-play between the players is often as interesting as the cards that are dealt.
To begin a hand, each player places an ante (amount varies by game, in our games it is usually a nickel). Then the players are dealt cards. The player to the left of each other takes turns opening (raising a bet) or checking (putting no money in the pot). Saying “I call” means you call the last player’s bet, and place your own chip or cash into the pot.